
AN 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS, 



DKLIVERED AT 



HUBBARDTON, VT., 



EIGHTY-SECOND ANNIVERSARY 



OF THE 




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oaroion, 



}0 
JULY 7, 1859. 



BY HENRY QHTjAIUx, 

With an Appendix Containing an Account of the Celebration. 



PUBLISHED BY REQUEST 



RUTLAND : 

BTEAM PRESS OF OEORGE A. TUTTLE & CO. 

1859. 



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ADDRESS 



The celebration of our nation's birth has just ended, and ere the 
rejoicings have ceased, it is fitting we should assemble on one of 
its battle fields to complete the erection of a monument in honor 
of those who fell, and in commemoration of the event. We are 
here at the in-\dtation of patriotic and persevering citizens, whose 
generosity and efforts have raised this noble structure — an honor 
to those who projected it, and a fitting memento of the past. 

This is the eighty-second anniversary of the battle of Hub- 
bardton, and this occasion calls for a marked demonstration of 
the public interest in the event. More than three-quarters of a 
century has elapsed, and we gather to-day in mass, to note the 
results. Who of us will be permitted a sJtnilar retrospect when 
the century shall have ended. 

While we recall with grateful interest the sufferings and sacri- 
fices of our fathers, and the trials they endured in our behalf, 
we should remember there are other monuments on which their 
virtues and deeds are inscribed, moi'e enduring than sculptured 
marble. Look around and behold them in the prosperity of our 
country to-day — in the cultivated fields — institutions of learn- 
ing, and internal improvements. dThey appear on ewry hill-side, 
and in the flourishing hamlets and cities throughout the land. 

We are here from different sections, most of us for the first 
time, and desire to testify our veneration for their names. What 
son of Vermont here does not feel the power of the occasion ? 
We have in our veins the blood and in our keeping the graves of 
these martyrs of the Revolution. Their bodies rest in this quiet 
vale, but the cause they espoused has spread its blessings over 
other fields than the field of battle. In full fruition of these 
blessjings, we join you in homage to the spot, and to the memory 
of those who fought and fell. History has prepared her tablets, 
and written imperishable records of the event, and the present 
reality, it is hoped, will justify a recurrence to a few events 
which preceded the battle of Hubbardton. We are borne back 
to the 7th of July, 1777. We see the people come from every 
direction. Old men and young hasten to the scene of strife, and 
our presence here gives it a living power. 

It should be remembered the battle of Hubbardton occurred 
at a dark period of the Revolution. When Gen. Burgoyne com- 
menced his campaign, Washington had been driven from New 
York, and the American forces from Canada. 



Burgoyne arrived at Quebec on the 6th of May, and took com- 
mand of the British army. On the 12th he was at Montreal 
collecting and forwarding all his stores to Lake Champlain. On 
the 20th of June his entire army was assembled at Cumberland 
head, near Flattsburgh ; thence embarking he proceeded up the 
lake, without opposition. On the 21st of June he landed his 
force on the west • aide of the lake, at the mouth of the river 
Boquet, near Willsborough, N. Y. At this point he was joined 
by three or four hundred Indians. Gen. Burgoyne made a speech 
to them, in which he exhorted them to lay aside their ferocious 
and barbarous manner of making war, to kill only such as opposed 
them in arms, and spare prisoners that should fall into their hands, 
and gave such directions to their fierceness and cruelty as should 
best subserve his designs against the Americans. 

On the 30th of June he advanced to Ticonderoga, with a well 
appointed fleet and disciplined army, and encamped for the night 
about four miles from the American lines. The next day they 
took their position just within reach of the American cannon, 
and on the 2d of July, after a brief skirmish with a picket of 
sixty men, and forcing them to retire, advanced within sixty 
yards of the works, scattering themselves along the whole front 
of the American lines. 

At this perilous period Gen. St. Clair, who commanded at Fort 
Ticonderoga, feared he should not be able properly to defend the 
garrison, altliough the place appeared strong, nevertheless the 
works were so extensive that he could not properly defend thera, 
beside, he had omitted to fortify a rugged eminence called Mount 
Defiance, the top of which overlooked and effectually commanded 
the whole works. 

St. Clair being sensible he could not sustain a seige, hoped 
Burgoyne A\^(uld make an assa^, against which he was resolved 
to defend himself to the last. After the discovery by the Amer- 
icans of the advantage the opposing forces had gained of them 
in the occupation of Mount Defiance, and their movements to 
construct a battery, a council of war was held, by which it was 
unanimously agreed to retreat that very night. 

About two o'clock on the morning of the 6th of July, Gen. 
St. Clair, with the garrison, left Ticonderoga, and about three 
o'clock the troops on Mt. Independence were put in motion, and 
a part were conveyed to Skeensboro in batteaux, while the main 
body of the army proceeded by land, on the old military road, 
Avhich had been cut during the preceding wars, from No. 4, now 
Charlestown, New Hampshire, to Ticonderoga. The retreat 
was conducted in silence, unobserved by the enemy, till a fire by 
accident was set which illuminated the whole of Mt. Independ- 
ence, and at once revealed their movements to the enemy. At 
about four o'clock the rear guard of the American Army left 
Mt. Independence, and were brought off by Col. Francis in good 
order. When the troops reached this place they were halted 
about two hours. Here the rear guard were placed under the 
command of Col. Seth Warner, with orders to follow as soon as 



those behind came up. Gen. St. Clair, with the maia body, 
reached Castleton on the 6th of July. 

The retreat from Ticonderoga was no sooner discovered by the 
British than a pursuit was made by Gen. Fraser, who was soon 
followed by Geu. Reidsel, with a greater part of the British for- 
ces. Fraser continued tlie pursuit during the day, and having 
learned that the Americans were not far off, he ordered an encamp- 
ment for the night. 

Early on the morning of the 7th he renewed the pursuit and 
at 7 o'clock the engagement commenced. Gen. Fraser made an 
attack upon the Americans while they were at breakfast. The 
force under Warner's command consisted of the Green Mountain 
Boys, Col. Haile's regiment of Connecticut River Men, with a 
Massachusetts regiment under Col. Francis, amounting to nearly 
one thousand men. Those under Gen. Fraser were two thousand 
strong, according to the account given by Etlian Allen, in his 
narrative. Much reliance is to be placed on Allen's statements, 
as he undoubtedly had it fi-om Warner himself, as well as from 
the confessions made to him while a prisoner in England by offi- 
cers of the British army, who were in the engagement. 

Permit me, therefore, in further illustration, to give the descrip- 
tion of tke battle in his peculiarly graphic and characteristic lan- 
guage. 

He says, "The 6th day of July, 1777, Gen. St. Clair and the 
army under his command evacuated Ticonderoga, and returned 
Avith the main body through Hubbardton into Castleton, which 
Avas six miles distant, when his rear guard, commanded by Col. 
Seth Warner, was attacked at Hubbardton by a body of the enemy 
of about two thousand strong, commanded by Gen. Fraser. 
Warner's command consisted of his own and two other regiments, 
viz: Francis and Haile, and some scattered and enfeebled soldiers. 
His whole number, according to information, was near or quite 
one thousand men, part of which were Green Mountain Boys. 
About seven hundred he brought into action. The enemy 
advanced boldly, and the two bodies formed within about sixty 
yards of each other. Col. Warner having formed his own regi- 
ment and that of Col. Frances, did not wait for the enemy, but 
gave them a heavy fire from his whole line, and they returned it 
with great bravery. It was hy this time dangerous for those of 
both parties who luere not prepared for the world to come. But 
Col. Haile, being apprised of the danger, never brought his reg- 
iment to the charge, but left Warner and his men to stand the 
hlowing of it and fled, but luckily fell in with an inconsiderable 
number of the enemy, and to his eternal shame, surrendered him- 
self a prisoner. 

The conflict was very bloody. Col. Francis fell in the same, 
but Col. Warner and the officers under his command, as also the 
soldiery, behaved with great resolution. The enemy broke and 
gave way on the right and left, but formed again and renewed 
the attack. In the meantime tlie British grenadiers in the center 



of the enemy's line maintained the ground, and finally carried it 
with the point of the bayonet, and Warner retreated with reluc- 
tance. Our loss was about thirty men killed, and that of the 
enemy amounting to three hundred killed, including a Major 
Grant. 

After Warner's men had thrown them into disorder, they 
formed and again advanced upon the Americans, who in their 
turn fell back. At this critical moment Gen. Reidsel arrived with 
a reinforcement, and led them • immediately into action, and 
decided the fortunes of the day." 

Such, fellow citizens, were the stirring scenes which were 
enacted on this battle field eighty-two years ago to-day — a strange 
contrast indeed to the one presented before us. Gallantly and 
bravely did they do their duty, and nobly are you doing your 
duty in commemorating the event. 

The battle of Hubbardton, although the number engaged was 
comparatively small, Avas one of the most determined and severe 
on record. If it was a Bi'itish victory, it was dearly purchased. 
But had it been an American victory, it would not have les- 
sened the sorrow for the fall of the gallant Col. Francis. He 
was a noble patriot, and we should never cease 'to venerate his 
memory, while we remember the action in which he fell and the 
principles for which he sacrificed his life. If we keep m remem- 
brance, fellow citizens, the scenes of that day, we shall be able 
better to appreciate the price paid for the liberties we now enjoy, 
and fitting is it that on this anniversary day we raise yonder 
monument quarried in our own native hills. 

It is proper on this occasion that some mention should be made 
of the leaders in this engagement. 

Gen. Frazier, of the British army, was killed on the 7th of 
October, 1777, at the battle of Saratoga. 

Colonel Haile, I fear, Allen has too severely censured, as he 
and many of his men were known to have been in feeble health 
and unfitted for military service, and his strictures, therefore, 
upon his conduct, should be received with great caution. We 
regret that imputation should ever have rested on one who is 
represented to have been so irreproachable in all the relations of 
life. Col Haile, history authorizes us to say, claimed the right of 
General Washington, by Court Martial to exhonerate himself, 
but he died soon after, before it could be accomplished, while a 
prisoner of war on Long Island. 

Colonel Seth Warner, who Avas on that day the leader, Avas 
preeminently a representatiA^e man of the early settlers of Ver- 
mont. Pie has been aptly represented by one* of Vermont's 
most gifted Avriters, as a man of commanding and even majestic 
appearance. He was tall and muscular, and so completely set 
Avei'e his limbs that his contour presented nothing to the eye in 
the least disproportional or ungainly. Every development, 



*Hon. D. P. Thompson. 



indeed whether of his shapely head or manly countenance, goes 
to show a strong, well-balanced character, and one capable of 
action, beyond the scope of ordinary men." 

He was a fit associate for such men as Ethan Allen and his 
valiant band. Vermont has had no nobler defender — no truer 
fi'iend — no greater hero — none more bold and frank inthe expres- 
sion of their opinions. In the to-\vn of Woodbury, Connecticut, 
lie the remains of Col. Seth Warner. He was buried with all 
the honors of war, in a grave remote from the State he loved so 
well, and whose cause he so ably defended. On a Avhite marble 
tomb stone may be deciphered the following inscription : 

IN MEMORY OF 

COL. SETH WAENER, ESQ., 

Who departed this life December 26th A. D. 1784, in the A2d 

year of his age. 

" Triumphant leader at our armj-'s head 
Whose martial glory struck a panie dread; 
Thy warlike deeds engraven on this stone, 
Tell futui'e ages — what a hero's done; 
Full sixteen battles he did fight. 
For to procure his country's right; 
Oh ! this brave hero, he did fall 
By death, who ever conquers all. 

When this you see 

Remember me." 

Our fathers fought for a purpose — fought for the rights which 
God and natui-e gave them — fought for that principle which led 
them to leave their homes and seek an asylum in the Westei*n 
Avilds. They fled from oppression and came to a land where no 
royal foot had ever trod. 

Time has erased the stains of battle — crumbled the bones and 
scattered the dust of the heroes who fought on this field ; yet 
their memory is as green as ever in the hearts of the living. It 
was theirs to toil — to bleed and to die that we might be free. 
It is ours to preserve the rich possessions their sacrifices secured. 
What American can contemplate his ancestry and not feel enno- 
bled ? There is nothing that so fills the American with noble 
thoughts than the recital of the deeds of his fathers. And when 
we dwell upon the noble deeds of our sires, and claim as kin- 
dred Washington and Warren, Allen and Warner, Stark and 
Lee, and all the Revolutionary heroes, who pledged their lives, 
their fortunes and their sacred honor for the sake of their covin- 
try, how can ^v& e w forget our duties as American citizens ? 

Fellow citizens, ift us promote National unity, not only by fit- 
ting commemorative festivals but by the erection of such monu- 
ments as shall keep visibly before us the deeds and virtues of our 
fathers. I know there are those who can see in the erection of 
monuments nothing but a useless expenditure. But they know 
not the power that is in them to impress the memory and stir the 
heart. Who is thei'e that can enter with indifference the burial 
place where are the tombs of his ancestors ? To such an one 
indeed ancestral memories are powerless. But 'to him whose 



nature is susceptible of nobler impulses, these memories will even 
possess a charm and a power that nothing can dim or destroy. 
The monumental marble is not cold lifeless stone ; it hath lips 
and speaks in language which though silent, often stirs the heart 
more deeply than the trumpet blast. Then let these monuments 
rise and become the expressive chroniclers of our history. Lay 
their foundations deep in the earth, and let them rise heavenward 
from the hill-top and the mountain summit, and as years pass 
away and the moss grows o'er them and their inscriptions begin 
to fade aAvay, they will stand grey witnesses of the past, and 
from them will go forth an influence to animate remote genera- 
tions to like deeds of heroism, and to purify and enoble the 
national heart. 



APPENDIX. 



It has been thought proper to add to the foregoing address the seV • 
eral accounts of the celebration, as published in the public prints of the 
State. The account given in the Northern Visitor, published at Bran- 
don, was prepared by a special reporter for that paper. The account 
given in the Vermont Watchman is in substance the address delivered 
by the Hon. E. P. Walton, on the occasion. 

From the Northern Visitor, published at Brandon. 

HUBBARDl'ON BATTLE-MONUMENT CELEBRATION. 

Mr. Editor : —I promised you a iew items from the Hubbardton 
Battle-Monument Celebration, which came off accordinsr to previous 
announcement, on the 7th inst. The sun rose clear and bright on that 
morning, and was scarcely above the horizon, before all the roads, for 
a distance of twenty miles*, leading to Hubbardton, were thronged with 
vehicles of all sorts, crowded with Green Mountain Boys and girls oi all 
aqex, wending tbeir way to the battle ground, which is situated in East 
Hubbard'on, about ten miles from Brandon. Could you have stood on 
the top of the liberty pole on the battle ground, and looked the country 
over, you might hnve thought it was being depopulated, as everybody, 
seemingly actuated by one impulse, was crowding towards that spot. 

The procession formed at the Baptist Church, at 11 o'clock a. m., un- 
der the marshalship of Col. Parker, of Castletoa, and preceded by the 
Rutland Band marched to the battle ground, where a speaker's stand 
liad be' n erected, and several board seats prepared in front of the stand. 
The Exercises commenced by reading the Scriptures, by Rev. Dr. 
Thomas, of Brandon, after which prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. (Ihild, 
of Castleton. At this point the Allen Greys arrived, and accompanied 
by the Brandon Band, and Col. Bush and Staff of the First Regiment. 
After Capt. Cook had put them through a course of military maneuvers 
in front of the stand, the President of the day, James W. Barber, Esq., 
introduced Henry C'ark, Esq., of Poultney, who read a well digested 
historical sketch of the events immediately preceding and succeeding 
the battle, showing clearly its relation to the other scenes of the great 
revolutionary drama. Hon. D. E. Nicholson, of Wallingfbrd, was next 
introduced, who dfU^ered a characteristic address of "half an hour's 
length, which brougnt down the house (or would if there had been any 
house to come down in) repeatedly, by its happy hits. The President 
then announced an adjournment for dinner, and all who were fortunate 
enough to find anything to eat, proceeded to eat it. Not expecting a 
tenth part of the crowd, the gentleman who was to " victual and drink" 
them was soon compelled to capitulate and surrender at discretion. 
The inhabitants of that part of the town opened their doors generously, 
and showered their hospitalities ireely, but of course, could do little 
towards supplying such a hungry throng. 



Hon. E. P- Walton, of Montpelier, tlie orator of the occasion, was the 
first speaker of the afternoon, and his address was like all his efforts, 
brim full of good things. He had hunted up in the State archives all the 
documents relating to the Hubbardton battle, and gave us some valuable 
history. I was unable to hear him as distinctly as I could have wished, 
owing to the " noise and confusion " occasioned by the " sham fight" — 
which interrupted his speech — between Col. Bush, with a small detach- 
ment of the " Greys," representing the British, and Capt. Cook, with the 
rest of the " Greys," representing the Americans. This was one of the 
most interesting incidents of the day, although Mr Walton's speech was 
interrupted ibr half an hour. The British were forced to retire until 
reinforced by a company of Indians, commanded by the artist, Hope, of 
Castleton, when they rallied and drove the Americans back as far as the 
speaker's stand. The smoke of battle and rattle of musketry was really 
■quite exciting, and involuntarily led one to inquire what the realities of 
grim war must be if its mimicry is so stirring. It is understood that 
prodigies of honor were performi'd — though I have seen no official bul- 
letin from Col. Bush or Capt. Cook. Major Hayward, of the staff, was 
the only one who was placed hors du combat, as far as I could learn, and 
his injuries were not severe, I believe. After the fight was over Mr. 
Walton concluded his speech amid great applause. The following sen- 
timents were then read by Mr. Clark, and several short speeches were 
made, in response to calls from the crowd, by Col. Allen, of Fairhaven, 
C. E. Graves, Mr. Manly and B. F. Bingham, of Rutland, B. F. Wins- 
low, of Pittsford, and your reporter. 

REGULAR SENTINENTS PRESENTED BY HENRY CLARK. 

1. The day we celebrate — glorious in the pftst, honored at the present. 

2. The memory of Col. Francis and those who fell with him, on the 
day we are now assembled to commemorate. 

3. Hon. E. P. Walton — honorably known for the interest he has 
taken in our Revolutionary history. We hail his presence here as a 
testimony of his appreciation of the part taken by the heroes of Hub- 
bardton in that great struggle for Constitutional Freedom. 

4. The Independent Militia of Vermont — it is the glory of a free 
country that its volunteers are all regulars and its regulars all volunteers. 

5. Fathers of the Revolution — They dedicated America to Liberty 
and gave their country to mankind. 

6. The Chaplain of the day — The voice of prayer was raised by our 
fathers in the hour of peril, let it never be silent in this period of our 
country's prosperity and greatness. 

Volunteers — . 

By Capt. Justin Jennings — Hon. Amos Churchill — His liberality, 
patriotism, and perseverance in the cause of the Hubbardton Battle- 
Monument, has gained for him an immortal glory, which will be long 
remembered by all true-hearted Americans. 

By Capt. Justin Jennings — E. J. Manley, thei«naster builder — 
Strength to his arm, correctness to his eye, and wisdom to his under- 
standing. 

By E. J. Manley, Esq., of West Rutland— The People of Hubbardton 
— May their patriotism and benevolence continue as lofty as their Jiomes. 

By M. M. Dikeman — Our Military — May they prove themselves wor- 
thy to be called descendants of that little band of Green Mountain Boys 
who took old " Ti." in the name of the " Great Jehovah and the Conti- 
nental Concjresn." 



By a Lady — The Spirit of '76 — the only spirit that may safely be 
imbibed to excess. 

The day, as you well remember, was intensely hot, and there was not 
an approximation to a shade within a stone's throw of the speaker's 
stand. 

The Rutland Band appeared for the first time — except at a couple of 
concerts which they have given — and made a splendid appearance In 
their new and tasteful uniform, and they, with the Brandon Band, dis- 
coursed excellent music from the stand, at Intervals between the differ- 
ent speeches. Col. Bush and staff In their new uniform were " the 
observed of all observers," and the military evolutions, which were per- 
formed under his and Capt. Cook's directions, were the subject of 
unqualified admiration. 

The Monument, which received the finishing touches in presence of 
the multitude, is a plain, neat shaft, rising to an elevation of twenty-one 
feet from the ground. It was quarried in Rutland, and cost about five 
hundred dollars. 

Father Churchill, a veteran of some ninety years, who gave one hun- 
dred dollars toward it, was on the stand, and made some remarks, which 
could be heard but a little distance. The rest of the amount was con- 
tributed mainly by citizens of Hubbardton. It marks the spot where 
Francis is said to have fallen. The inscription is as follows : on the 
east side, " Hubbardton Battle fought on this ground July 7th, 1777."' 
On the north side, " Col. Warner commanded; Col. Francis killed ; Col. 
Hale was captured ; the Green Mountain Boys fought bravely.' On 
the west side, " The only battle fought in Vermont during the Revolu- 
tion." On the south side, " This Monument erected by citizens of Hub- 
bardton and vicinity," 

I heard the crowd variously estimated from five to eight thousand, and 
I will say foi them that I never saw so large a crowd so well behaved. 
There was no police, only one marshal, (whose duties seemed to be fin- 
ished when the procession reached the ground,) yet there was no row- 
dyism, not a solitary individual drunk, so far as I saw or heard ; but 
their deportment was worthy of the descendants of the three hundred 
and forty heroes who fell in this hotly contested engagement, who had 
come, after the lapse of so many years, to show that the dust which has 
slumbered unnoticed so long In this beautiful spot Is not unfbrgotten, but 
that a grateful posterity knows how to honor the memory of Its heroic 
ancestors. Truly yours,' Reporter. 

From the VermoDt Watchman, Montpelier, Vt, 

THE BATTLE OF HUBBARDTON, JULY 7th, 1777. 

The eighty-second anniversary of the Battle of Hubburdton was fitly 
observed on Thursday, the 7th. Inst., by completing with interesting cer- 
emonies, a handsome marble monument, " commemorative of our patriot 
soldiers," who were In the battle, which has been erected on the battle 
ground by the Hubbardton Battle-Monument Association. The assem- 
bly was large, numtering, we jurlge, nearly five thousand people, gath- 
ered mainly from the counties of Rutland and Addison ; and all the 
services were appropriate to the occasion. The officers of the Associa- 
tion, with the gentlemen who were to take part in the public exercises, 
were escorted to the battle ground by the Allen Greys of Brandon, under 
the direction of Col. Parker, as Marshal, where the order of exercises, 
intermingled with music from the Rutland Brass Band, and the Bran- 
don Band, took place. 

Not last in the order of performances, nor least in interest, was a rep- 



10 

resentation of the battle, as perfectly as coald be done, In which per- 
formance the Allen Grays represented the British forces, while the' 
Green Mountain Boys were represented by a company formed for the 
occasion. The latter company, it was said, was commanded by a gen- 
tleman who happened to be born on the other side of the Atlantic. — 
However this may be he certainly entered into this affair will all the 
spirit of a Vermontei — born, not made. To us, a very interesting part 
of the occasion was the meeting of several of the descendants of Ver- 
monters personally engaged in the battle, and among them Mr. Church- 
ill, now ninety years of age, who was a lad of eight years at the time 
of the battle. We also heard of Benjamin Hickok, now living in Ben- 
son, who was taken prisoner at the time. His presence was expected, 
but his great age prevented him from the exposure of the day, and of 
the necessary journey. As probably the very last surviving sufferer 
in that day, he was honorably remembered. We ought to add that 
Mr. Churchill is one of the chief contributors to the monument, and in 
response to a toast in his honor, (we forgot to include the toasts in the 
programme,) he related some of his early recollections of the battle 
field. It was an occasion well honored also, and it will doubtless be 
remembered with pleasure, perhaps not unmingled with pride, by 
thousands. It will be worth one's remembering, and worth telling to 
his children as they read the history of Vermont, that be on that day 
and in that wav honored the heroes, the patriots and the martyrs, who, 
on the 7th of July, 1777, gained those lofty titles on the field of Hub- 
bard ton. 

The battle ground is one of the thousand beautiful spots to be found 
among the hills of Vermont ; and it deserves rank among the very 
beautiful spots, even of Vermont scenery. It is uf on the highlands 
of East Hubbardton— the battle ground itself a hill, lying beneath and 
east of a striking jtromontory called Mount Zion. East of the ground 
is a rivulet, and then comes the mountain range over which, and 
through the forest, Warner and his nien retreated on their way to 
Manchester, and successfully defied pursuit. Down the valley of the 
rivulet was the old military road to Cas^tleton, by which St. Clair 
retreated with his army : and the whole scene — embracing the battle 
ground, this lovely valley and the grand mountains— is richly worth a 
visit, counting as nothing even the historic remembrances a visit 
would provoke. With the diagram of the field, in Thompson's Ver- 
mont, one will readily lecognize the spots where the contending forces 
met; and from the neighbors the traditions of the fathers can be gath- 
ered, enlivened with relics from the field. Let the Green Mountain 
Boys of this generation make at least one visit to the battle ground of 
Hubbardton. 

A nd now a few words as to the battle. We have a suspicion that its 
importance is not sufficiently estimated at this day, — that even Vermont- 
ers do not justly appreciate the honor that is due, nor fully measure the 
glory tbat is due to Warner and his Green Mountain Boys. We often 
think ol and speak of, and often glorify, the audacious capture of Ticon- 
deroga by Allen, and Crown Point by Warner, and the brilliant victory 
of Bennington — for these are far more agreeable incidents in our his- 
tory, and have given us a name to live, wherever and as long as history 
shall be read. Let us then refresh the memory of the reader with an 
account of the battle of Hubbardton. On the early morning of July 
6, 1777, Gen. St. Clair evacuated Forts Ticonderoga and Independence, 
and he marched to Hubbardton on that day. Here he placed Warner 
in command of the rear-guard, with instructions to wait for those who 
were lagging behind, and to encamp a mile and a half in the rear of the 
army. ISt. Clair then marched on, but instead of halting a mile and a 



11 

half in advance of Warner's post at Hubbardton, or ascertaining: 
■whether the remnant of the army had come up, so that Warner could 
advance, the General never halted until he reached Castleton, six miles 
ahead of Warner. The latter encamped at Hubbardton with a thous- 
and men; many of them doubtless diseased or disabled, (for he had to 
wait for the remnant of the army, the laggerj,) and many of them but 
poorly armed. On the 3d oi the month preceding, we find Col. Francis 
writing thus : " Soldiers unclothed by day, and no blankets to shield 
them from this cold clay soil at night." * * " Several officers have 
1fe,tely been up for inoculation [for the small pox of course,] in camp, 
and are now on trial." * * " With respect to the arms, it may with 
truth be asserted, that not more than half are fit for service." Francis 
was of Warner's party, and his description is doubtless true of all the 
continental troops. Indeed, probably the very best men for service, and 
the best armed, were the Green Mountain volunteers and militia, of 
whom the President (Bowker) of the Vermont Convention, then in ses- 
sion in Windsor, wrote this, four days before the battle: " The militia 
from the State are principally with the officer commanding the conti- 
nental army at Ticonderoga ; the remainder on their march for the relief 
of that distressed post ;" and many of whom, we learn from a letter 
from him, Warner had ordered to Hubbardton a few days before the 
battle. At five o'clock the next morning. Gen. Frazier came up with 
Warner's encampment, leading, says Ethan Allen, two thousand British 
troops, from the most splendidly equipped army ever sent to America by 
Great Britain, — of whom " it was said by the British," (says Williams,") 
" that a more complete body of officers and men had never been se en in 
any army not more numerous than this." And Williams adds : " This 
army in every respect was in the best condition that could be expected 
or desired ; the troops, in the style of the army, were in high spirits, 
admirably disciplined, and uncommonly healthy." This was especially 
true preceding the morning of Hubbardton, for they had just driven out 
the American Army from Canada, swept Lake Champlain, and I'ecov- 
ered Ticonderoga and Fort Independence. When, therefore, the 
respective forces were arrayed in order of battle at Hubbardton at sixty 
yards distance, in the early morning of July 7, 1777, there were two of 
these splendidly equipped and thoroughly disciplined British soldiers to 
one half-clad and badly armed American. And thus for two hours the 
parties stood, for the attack was not made until seven o'clock. These 
two hours decided the fate of the day. Frazier was waiting for Gen. 
Reidesel and his Brunswick troops, to whom ho had sent to support him 
— and Reidesel was close in Frazier's rear, and ready to reinforce him. 
On the other hand, Haile retreated with his men without firing a gun, 
leaving Warner with but seven or eight hundred men. The force 
against him was therefore nearly three to one before a shot had been 
exchanged. St. Clair had retreated to a safe distance — Haile had 
retreated to a safe distance, only to be captured speedily — c nd Warner 
and Francis were left alone as leaders, with five or six hundred Ver- 
monters, and perhaps two hundred Massachusetts men. The battle 
began at seven, and Williams, Daniel Chipman and Ethan Allen all 
concur in saying that Warner was well supported by officers and men, 
and so impetuous was his attack, that the British troops broke and gave 
way. The British again formed and charged, when, says Chipman, they 
" were again bi'ought to a stand." At this critical moment, the brave 
Col. Francis fell, and his men retreated, while, on the other side. Gen. 
Reidesel appeared to reinforce the British with his advanced column, 
" consisting of the chasseur company, and eighty grenadiers and light 
infantry, who were immediately led mto action." At this moment, War- 
ner and his Green Mountain Boys were alone, and the opposing force 



12 

must have been four or five to their one. But even then there was no 
panic — no indecent haste to follow their companions of the morning. 
Chipnaan says, " at this anxious and exciting moment, Warner saw 
Francis' regiment retreating, and the battle lost. This was too much, 
even for the nerve of Warner. He dropped down upon a log by 
which he stood, and poured out a torrent of execrations upon the flying 
troops; but he instantly rose, and in a most collected manner, ordered 
his regiment to Manchester." And to Manchester tbey went. The 
Green Mountaineers were the boys, and the only ones who stood to t^e^ 
last : aye, we think there was not one of them in Haile's or Francis' 
regiments. The revolutionary rolls in the State Department purport 
to give the names not only of Vermonters in service, but of their com- 
manders, and we do not find the name of either Haile or Francis in the 
list. The Vermonters stood, then, until by the withdrawal of others 
and the reinforcement of the enemy, there was not even a chance for 
accomplishing any thing by standing longer ; and then they retreated 
by command, and reached their rendezvous. Every way, then, the 
Battle af Hubbardton was honorable to Vermonters. It was not a vic- 
tory to them in the fate of the day, though there were certainly victories 
to them in the figbt ; nor was it in any true sense a victory to the Brit- 
ish. No ! not by them was the victory won, if victory it was, but 
rather by the carelessness, not to say cowardice, of St. Clair, and the 
retreat of the r' giments of Haile and Francis: and in saying this we 
mean to fix the blame on St. Clair. Had Warner retrccatetf with the 
entire rear guard, in the face of a force so greatly superior m numbers 
and equipment to his own, and superadding, to what we have already 
named, artillery, firing grape and chain shot, as the relics from the field 
attest ;* we say if all had retreated, until they came within reach of 
support from the mam army, there is not a military man in the world 
who would not have justified it. 

As an evidence of the vigor of Warner's assaults, we give the fatali- 
ties of this half-hour's fight.' The Americans lost 30 killed, while the 
British recorded account acknowledged 183 killed and wounded, and 
Allen states that British officers confessed to him that they had 300 
killed. Bennington battle (the first) says Stark, " lasted two liours, and 
was the hottest I ever saw ;" and probably the concluding fight, when 
Warner and his boys pitched in, " beinir determined to have ample 
revenge on account of the quarrel at Hubbardton," with tlie pursuit of 
the flying enemy, gave two hours more : yet the Americans lost but 30 
at Bennington, precisely the same number as at Hubbardton, while the 
enemy left two hundred and seven dead m the field of Bennington — 
being nearly a hundred less than Allen's statement of the British loss 
at Hubbardton. The brief battle at Hubbardton, was therefore, a ter- 
rible conflict, and the disparity of force against the Americans and the 
disparity of loss agaii'st the British, with the other unfortunate inci- 
dents, by which Warner was the sufferer, all show that the Vermonters 
did most faithfully, most honorably, and most bravely perform their 
whole duty. 

But Hubbardton ba'tle was more than terrible to the enemy, and 
more than honorable to the Vermonters. It was an important hattle : 
important in its influence and constquences. The year preceding was 
one of the greatest gloom, especially in the North. The retreat of two 
large armies from Canada, and the loss of nearly half of one of them 
by disease and hardship, not by arms — the evacuation of Ticonderotia 
and i'ort Independence, which were the keys to Lake George and North 

* Burgoyne's army was furnished with beautiful brass pieces, light and well 
calculated for swift and effective field work. Two of these pieces, trophies of 
Bennington, are now at Montpelier. 



13 

River on the South, and to New England in the East — and the trium- 
phal entry of Burgoyne with a splendid army and buoyant expectations, 
for it must be remembered that he expected all the people, especially of 
Vermont and Northern New York, to yield at once to his magniloquent 
proclamation: all these filled the country with consternation and des- 
pair. Washington was terribly diappointed : New England was 
alarmed ; and as for New Yoric and the Middle States, it appeared all 
but certain that Burgoyne would join the British army, then on the 
Hudson, and command the heart of the nation. The first gleam of 
hope appeared when Warner turned and sprang upon Frazier at Hub- 
bardton, like a tiger upon his pursuers. Then the first star twinkled to 
anxious eyes through ihe cloud that had long covered them ; and then 
another and another, and still another, till the Northern galaxy was full. 
Hope, courage, strength revived, and all was quickly gained to us. The 
darkness speedily fell upon the glittering hosts of Burgoyne, and to them 
all was lost. Behold: 

July 7, 1777— battle of Hubbardton. 

August 16, 1777 — victory at Bennington. 

August 20, 1777 — Burgoyne has made the acquaintance of the Green 
Mountain Boys at Hubbardton and Bennington, and thus most emphat- 
ically compliJnents them: "The Hampshire Grants in particular, a 
country unpeopled and almost unknown in the last war, now abounds 
in the most active and most rebellious race on the continent, and hangs 
like a gathering storm on my left."* 

September 13, 1777 — Gen. Lincoln visits Vermont, and from Pawlet 
despatches parties to capture the British posts. In five days they recov- 
er the command of ihe Northern end of Lake George, recapture Mount 
Hope, Mount Defiance, and all but the main fortress at Ticonderoja, 
with 200 batteaux, one armed sloop, and a number of gun boats ; take 
293 prisoners of the army, and release 109 Americans who were held 
as prisoners by the British. 

September 19, 1777 — Battle of Stillwater. 

October 7, 1777 — Burgoyne worsted by Gates in a hard fight. Fra- 
zier, who commanded the British at Hubbardton, was killed. 

October 17, 1777 — Burgoyne surrendered, which put an end to the 
career of the British Northern army ; and Gates, with his forces, was 
despatched for service elsewhere. 

This is the history of Vermont in that crisis ; for in these events, from 
Hubbardton to Burgoyne's surrender, Vermonters bore more — aye, infi- 
nitely more than their share. And what a brilliant centre piece is this in 
Vermont's tableau of Revolutionary incidents, with the First MARTYRSf 

* The effect of the Vermont victories on the country was equally as striking 
as upon Burgoyne. We quote from Lossing's life of Washington : " While 
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, DeleWai-e and Maryland were gazing with mingled 
expectations and fears on the armies under Washington and Howe, as they 
slowly closed on each other, and the whole country was filled with conflicting 
rumoi's, agitating and cheering by turns, the works were rapidly going up at 
Saratoga, from which was to i-ecoil the veteran army or Burgoyne. Stark had 
dealt him a staggering blow by his victory over Baum at Bennington, \vhile 
Gansevoort's gallant defence of Fort Stanwix had frustrated his plans in that 
direction. From every valley and mountain slope the sturdy yeomanry went 
pouring into Gates, their patriotism kindled into brighter glow by the shouts of 
victory that came rolling from Vermont, and down the Mohawk from Fort Stan- 
wix and the bloody field of Oriskany." 

t William French and Daniel Houghton, slain at Wfistminster, " March ye 
13th, 1775, by the hands of cruel Ministerial tools of George ye 3d." The 
Boston Massacre occrn'red five years before, but at that time there was hardly 
a deliberate jjurpose of coercion unto blood on the one side, and of resistance 
unto blood on the other. Indeed, the Boston affair was simply murder by the 
enraged soldiery, and was discountenanced by the civil authority. In Vermont, 



14 

and the First Victories* of the Revolution on the one side, 
and the other with that keen stroke of "policy," which by diplomacy 
alonef completely protected the Northern frontier against a large Brit- 
ish army, from 1781 to 1783. 

Truly, it was right to erect a monument on the field of Hubbard ton, 
— to mark the very spot where our fathers so gallantly " marked time " 
for this glorious march of victories, and to commemorate " our patriot 
soldiers " — most emphatically ours, — for they, we had almost said they 
alone, bravely stood the test of that bloody day. 

From the Ilutlaud Herald. 

THE CELEBRATION AT HUBBARDTON. 

As announced in our last, the anniversary of the Battle of Hubbard- 
ton was celebrated in the above mentioned town, on Thursday, the 7th 
inst., on the occasion of the completion of tlie mouument recently erec- 
ted on the battle field there. 'J'he celebration was a highly creditable 
afiair, and was attended by a great number of persons, — some say as 
many as 5000 or 6000. 

Jaaie^ Barber, Esq., was Presidi'nt of the day, and Hon. C. S. Ram- 
sey and H. G. Barber, Esq., Vice Presidents. 

The programme was as follows : 

A procession was formed at about 11 o'cloi^k- A. M., at the Church, 
under the escort of the Allen Greys of Brandon, who paraded as a Bat- 
tallioa of three companies, under the command o! Capt. Cook. They 
were accompanied by Col. Bush, Maj. Hayward, Adj. Holt, Quarter 
Master Dana, and yeroeant INiajor Carpenter, of the First Regiment, 
in full uniform; and Lieutenant Roberts of the Rutland Light Guard. 
They were also accompanied by the Brandon Cornet Band, 11 pieces, 
and the Rutland Band ; with Col. F. Parker, of Castleton, Chief Mar- 
shal. 

The procession, consisting of the invited guests, Orator of the Day, 
Clergymen and Citizens, march from the church to the battle ground, 
where a stand had been erected near the Monument. 

The exercises at the stand were as follows; 

Reading of the Scriptures by Rev. Dr. Thomas of Brandon. 

Prayer by the Rev. Dr. Child of Castleton. 

Music by the Rutland Brass Band. 

Historical Sketch of the Battle of Flubbardton, by Henry Clark of 
Poult ney. 

Address by Hon. D. E. Nicholson of Wallin^ford. 

At the conclusion of Mr. Nicholson's address, the assemblage dispersed 
for dinner. 

Early in the afternoon the multitude again assembled at the stand to 
listen to an address by Hon. E. P. Walton of Montpelier ; after which, 
responses to toasts were made by Hon. Alanson Allen, of Fairhaven ; 
B. F. Bingham, Esq., Rutland; B. F. Winslow, Esq., Pittsford ; C. E. 
Graves, Esq., and J. E. Manley, Rutland, and H. H. Thomas, Esq., 
Brandon. 

however, the Whiijs had determined, previous to March, 1775, " to resist and 
oppose all authority that would not accede to the resolves of the Continental 
Congress;" they had taken possession of Westminster court house in the 
spirit of this declaratioii, and they were attacked by the Tory Sheriff, who had 
the legal (royall " power of the county," and the Tory court sustained him, 
until the Whites captured and imprisoned the judges, and put an end to Tory 
power iu Vermont. 

* Ticonderoga and Crown Point, May 10th, 1775. 
t Haldimand correspondence. 



15 

Mr. Amos Churchill of Hubbardton, was presented, and gave a short 
but highly interesting history of events connected with the battle at Hub- 
bardton. Mr. Churchill will be recollected by our readers as the author 
of those interesting sketches of the early settlement of Hubbardton, 
which appeared in the Herald a few years ago. He is the only person 
now living in Hubbardton, who was an inhabitant of that town at the 
time of the battle. At that time, which was eighty-two years ago, he 
was nine years old. His appearance at the celebration last week was 
indeed opportune, and his remarks added greatly to the interest of the 
occasion. We have now but few left of those who link us to the " times 
that tried men's souls." Among the large collection of people at the 
celebration, we learn of but one person ^vho is near the age of Mr. 
Churchill, and that person is Mr. Child of Castleton, who is in his 90th 
year. He' was present on the battle field last Thursday, and evmced a 
lively interest in the ceremonies and festivities of the day. We are in 
receipt of a note from Mr. Child, concerning the celebration, which we 
take pleasure in acknowledging here. 

The speeches at the stand were listened to with much interest, not- 
withstanding the heat of the weather was intense, and there was no 
shelter whatever for the vast crowd of persons in attendance. 

Among the paiticulars given by Mr. Clark in his sketch of the battle, 
are the following : It was fought on the 7th day of July, 1777, by a 
party of SOO Americans, under Col. Seth Warner, and a detachment of 
British, numbering nearly 2000. The Americans were forced, ultimately 
to retreat, with a loss of 340 men, among whom was Col. Haile, who 
was taken prisoner. The British loss was stated to be over 300. 

The addresses of Hon. D. E. Nirholson, Orator of the Day, and Hon. 
E. P. Walton, were well worthy of the occasion, and were fully appre- 
ciated, if we are to judge from the close attention tf the audience. 

After the speaking, a sham battle was fought on the old ground, by a 
detachment of the Greys, under Capt. Cook, who represented the Auer- 
ican forces, and another detachment of the Greys, under Col. Bush, 
together with a party of Indians as a reserve, under James Hope, the 
poet painter of Castleton. The detachment under Col. Bush moved over 
the hill towards the Monument, and surprised the other party, vrho 
sprang to their arms and prepared to resist the attack, upon which the 
British party were forced to retreat, when the party of Indians, under 
Mr. Hope, came to their relief, and the British then charged bayonets 
down the hill, and were warmly met by the opposite party, where after a"^ 
short hand to hand fight, the Americans were defeated. The battle was 
well carried out, and but for the rush of the cro.vd of spectators, would 
have given a vivid idea of the action which occurred 82 years ago, on 
the same spot. 

After the battle, the Greys formed a squad around the Monument and 
fired a few volleys. They then marched to the stand and gave three 
cheers for the Hubbardton Monument Association, etc., and took up 
their march for home, upon which the crowd dispersed, well satisfied 
with the day's proceedings. 

Thus closed one of the nost interesting celebrations ever witnessed in 
Vermont ; and we may say here that we never saw a more orderly and 
a better behaved assetnbly on any occasion. Great credit is due to the 
citizens of Hubbardton generally ; and especially to James Barber, 
Esq., Hon. C. S. Rumsey and H. G. Barber, Esq., for their indefatiga- 
ble efforts in arranging and carrying out the aflfair. We will add that 
the music of the Brandon Band, F. J. Farr, Leader, and our Rutland 
Band, G. H. Cole, Leader, who accompanied the Greys, was most 
admirable, and we can see no reason why our people need go abroad, 
ibr (food music. 



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The Monument, which is now finished, is of marble, 21 feet in height, 
and on its base, on the east side, has inscribed the following : 



HUBBARDTON BATTLE, 

FOUGHT ON THIS GROUND, 

JULY 7, 1777. 

[North Side.] 

Col. Warner, Commanded. 

Col. Francis Killed. 

Col. Haile Captured. 

THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOTS FOUGHT BRAYELT^ 

[Soutli Side.] 

This Monument Erected by the 

Citizens of Hubbardton and 

Vicinity. 

[West Side.] 

The only Battle Fought in 

VERMONT 

During the Revolution. 



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